Veronica's #WritersDiary; It's a TANGLED WEBS Countdown to #LaborDay!

Well hello, September! The pumpkin spice lattes have been unleashed and I'm so ready for autumn to arrive. It's an especially festive time for me, because on Monday, September 6th, Bibiana Krall and I will be releasing our scary tale collection, Tangled Webs! When we started this second book of The Haunted Series at the beginning of the year, we had no idea what we would be facing in 2021 (Um, as of this writing, nothing much has changed on that front, LOL). 🙄😛😬

Despite the uncertainties in the world, one thing we knew we wanted to achieve as #writers, was to collaborate once again to make our love for the Halloween season come alive on the pages of a book (or the screen of an eBook). After many days and nights of deliberations (and yes, even some ghostly inputs), we now have six haunting tales for readers to enjoy that will bring on the goosebumps and perhaps elicit a few, wicked giggles. I think some well-deserved Halloween reading fun is needed--how 'bout you? 💀📚💋

In the Tangled Web collection, you'll get a chance to escape and travel around the world with these short stories of paranormal, mystery and folklore intrigue... (with the added bonus of no mask, vax, TSA lines, or, inclement weather involved #WinWin):

HVISKE (Norway) Here in the fjordic crags, each of us can be the victim of ourselves, the frozen death within waiting to be unleashed. I hear their silent whispers cry… ‘meg, meg, meg’. Most I choose to ignore, letting karma’s destiny of actions unfold. For those I extricate, the journey into the Northern Light or depth of darkness is swift. Choose wisely, hviske within.

WIDOW’S WALK (Falmouth)

After inheriting a historic mansion on the shores of Cape Cod. Abigail is consumed by grief for the loss of an incredible woman, and tormented by a childhood ghost that does everything possible to scare her out of her wits.

When the troubling entity makes physical contact, it’s clear that Abby is in danger. Does the mysterious phantom want her dead?

SCULPTURE OF THE DEAD (Aspen)

I touch the cold, Colorado marble with my hands, running my fingers over the veins. I know when the stone matches the traits of the departed. Sculptural portraits, masks of the dead, fragments of limbs…the living think they want to remember their dearly departed with my creations.

Sometimes it’s better to forget.

SPIRIT ISLAND (Jasper)

Seychelle is a free spirit, taking one day ay a time and doing her best to help her family. When she accepts a creative assignment and experiences something, haunting and otherworldly in the wilderness… will it help her understand her own life better or carry her down a crooked and violent path she cannot return from?

The past is alive.

MODE de VEUVE NOIRE (Quebec City)

Selfie, pose, look at me, I’m the fashion influencer you want to be.

Follow, buy, so yesterday, darling--opinions, trends my ultimate worth. When wannabe, legend in her own mind Monique hits the streets of Quebec with an antique camera once owned by the famed Madame Coco, the photos she takes provide a stroke of famed acclaim, or dismal despair to those she hoped to install in her style hall of shame. The camera never lies, Madame. Click. Click. Click.

RAGNO DAZANTE (Italy)

Itsy, bitsy spider, dance, twirl and spin that tangled web. What waits for us on the other end of the cosmic red string? Aurelia has it all, a lush life in Italy, and fierce looks to match, yet she uses her power to dominate, mistreat and humiliate another woman.

When Pietra finally embraces her dark birthright, the wicked game is afoot.

As an added bonus in our collection, Bibiana and I have included a few recipes and suggestions for a sampling of delicious eats and drinks one might want to enjoy while turning through the pages of our collection. Just remember, if you're enjoying libations of the Green Goblin variety, leave that broomstick parked! 🧹🍸

Thanks to all of you who have helped us promote our latest book on the social media scene, it's been very much appreciated! As we countdown the final days for our #NewRelease, Bibiana and I want to wish you a scarylicious, bootiful autumn as we close in on Halloween. Take the time to enjoy the chills of the season and the spooky fun that it brings.🎃👻 It's Wednesday, time for #DearDiary:

It's a Tangled Webs Extravaganza!

Pssst, one secret I'll let you in on is that, fingers crossed/knock wood/horseshoes up, Bibiana will be joining me and Hubby here in SoCal on Halloween night! We're partying at the Rusty Pig, wearing our Halloween finest! Taking a seat by the fire on the spookiest of nights, we'll be reading from Tangled Webs, and perhaps telling the stories behind the stories as the Green Goblins flow, LOL. We're thinking of doing a live blip on Instagram and sharing some takes on Twitter and YouTube. We hope you'll join us, details to follow!

Let's talk SWAG!

Hand fans, bookmarks, a web poncho and sparkly web tiara can be yours!

We're holding two (2) drawings for #readers....For one lucky booklover who has preordered our book, we'll be doing a drawing on Monday, September 6th, for our #LaborDay #NewRelease! The hand fans feature the Tangled Webs cover on one side and Hearth Fires on the back; the bookmarks have a silver spider charm; the poncho is covered in a spider web crochet and trimmed in bats; and the tiara--it gleams with webby bling and a skull and crossbones for that extra spooky touch of glam.

The second drawing will be done the following Monday, September 13th (Lucky 13) and will include all readers who purchased a copy of Tangled Webs (so if you preorder, you get 2 chances to win!). Both drawing winners will also receive a print copy of our book---a Halloween treat you won't want to miss!

All you Boos need to do is to let Bibiana or me know if you've pre-ordered or purchased, and we will include you in the drawings! I have it on good authority, Gemma and Aunt Pippa ADORE the tiara! 😁🕸👑 #Boo!

#AmReading #AmReviewing

A horrific game that chills this week from the writers of Twitter...

Author Ken Stark, Gaia's Game, 5⭐

For many of the residents of Keeter's Bluff, the day is getting off to a very rough start. Reports of animal attacks are flowing into police headquarters, leading Sherriff Cooper and his deputies on chase after chase as they investigate the calls. Are these random acts, or has something gone rogue in the animal kingdom?

New history teacher in town, Emma Wong, gets a first hand view of the of the animals gone wild. Her carefully prepared curriculum for the new school year includes studying The Gaia Theory---an hypothesis that all biological systems on Earth could be considered a as a living entity. As the day's chaos continues in Keeter's Bluff and around the planet, is the academic theory being proved right---is Earth cleansing itself of the humans?

As Sheriff Cooper and his colleagues race against time to find out what is going on---will they ever be able to put an end to the carnage? Author Stark has written a gripping tale of of a horrific vengeance unleashed. This is a spine-tingling tale that has twists and turns you will never expect. A fabulous read, perfect for this scary season of Halloween (or anytime you want a really, scary story)-- highly recommended!

Next up in the #reading queue:

Welcome to my world. Enjoy the rest of your #week and #weekend friends!

Crowns and Kisses,

Veronica

P.S. Next, we head to the hills of Santa Barbara County to the Solvang Festival Theater. It's an evening under the stars listening to the tunes of Billie Holiday...Gemma and Rikkhe most definitely approve 💖👑